RESEARCH SCHOLAR ENERGY PROGRAM (Laxenburg, AT)The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis’s (IIASA) Energy Program is seeking applications for the position of a Research Scholar with experience in large-scale energy-economic or integrated assessment modeling, in particular with a focus on interactions of energy system transformation with land use and water requirements.The successful applicant will contribute to ongoing research activities as well as new research fields developing the next generation of integrated assessment modeling tools to explore a range of aspects. These will include in particular the development of new methodologies for the integrated assessment of response strategies to address multiple challenges of the energy system related to 1) access to affordable modern and clean forms of energy, 2) energy security, as well as 3) environmental impacts of energy use, such as climate change, air pollution and water use. The research work will be conducted in close collaboration with scientists from the Energy Program and other research groups at IIASA and their international partners. Specific tasks will depend on the interests, skills and experience of the successful candidate, and research needs in the following areas:
– Applying, maintaining and extending existing analytical tools, in particular IIASA’s MESSAGE model, as part of an international, multi-disciplinary group of researchers;
– Assessing the economic implications of energy-, climate- and development policies and extending the existing modeling framework to better represent these effects (e.g., implications of water constraints for the evolution of the energy system, );
– Linking modeling tools to facilitate better integration of national-, regional- and global-level analysis (including nested modeling approaches);
– Developing the existing set of tools further to improve transparency and allow easier model and data sharing with collaborators.

The successful candidate will also be involved in developing research proposals, preparing journal papers and reports, and attending scientific and stakeholder meetings.

Profile: Preferably the candidate will hold a PhD (or equivalent) in environmental science, economics, engineering, or a related field. A good understanding of energy systems analysis and knowledge of major global energy challenges are essential. He/she should have “hands-on” experience with energy-economic or integrated assessment models and be familiar with various methods employed in the field (e.g., linear, non-linear and mixed-integer programming). Experience with the GAMS high level modeling system or similar tools, programming skills in high level languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++) and familiarity with databases are an asset. The candidate should have the ability to work in an international team with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, take initiative in undertaking research and be flexible and adaptable in responding to deadlines. Good written and oral communication skills in English are thus an essential requirement.